The local decarceration movement calls for widespread release of, and legal lenience with, criminals (a perspective that is perhaps compassionate in the abstract, but not for actual crime victims). However, most people in jail were incarcerated for violent activity, so is “emptying the jails” a legitimate strategy? For instance, San Jose is one of many cities that’s seen increased crime under pro-jailbreak policies. City Journal's Thomas Hogan's analysis of the implications of decarceration below.

As of 2023, San Jose has gone down from “moderate drought” conditions to just “abnormally dry,” a particularly impressive feat post-2010s. The California Globe’s Evan Symon reports that while effusive downpours have been helpful against CA’n dryness, continued diligent conservation efforts (e.g., using desalination plants) are required to retain water in the long run.

Those advocating for more lenient incarceration laws often pull out the nonviolent drug criminal, suggesting that such offenders can be released without public safety threats. However, most prisoners sitting in jail have committed “serious, often violent, offenses.” Many are on their second (or third, or fourth) chance for redemption. City Journal’s Rafael A. Mangual reports on this destructive misconception.

Analyzing several well-subsidized SF nonprofits, Josh Koehn explains in the SF Standard that many residents are urging for transparency in how NP partners address objectives and use taxpayer funds. Even SF Mayor Breed acknowledges difficulties in working with NPs, but local nonprofit lobbyists strongly request no additional stipulations be enforced—lest the paperwork adds up.

Ever wonder how the Merc, SJ Spotlight, and Labor-backed pols at SJCC all seem to take the same position with the same talking points at the same time on issues they care about? It's not serendipity. Stephen Green of PJ Media opines on how the Left's communication scheme isn't really about persuading anyone of anything, but rather is a strategy to crowd out dissenting perspectives. 

In the LA Times, oil historian Gregory Brew unpacks why California’s energy remains sky-high expensive: Amidst promises to “green-ify” all energy sources, Sacramento pols have discouraged local fossil fuel production. But because CA’s energy needs haven’t diminished, we now import 56% of our crude oil — for nothing short of a small fortune.

Google announced earlier this month that, given the changes in the office market, it may push back its development in Diridon West, aka the Google Village. Nonprofits and their supporters who are on the receiving end of more than $200m of Google largesse (in the form of community grants, public spaces, and property) started squawking. D6 CM Dev Davis sets the record straight in this exclusive interview with Opp Now.

Someone asking you to pay your late rent is not the same as locking you out of your apartment. But you wouldn't know that from the Merc's 2.12.23 (reporter: Ethan Varian) article, which basically plays stenographer for extremist Housing Rights advocates to create a bogus narrative about a non-existent eviction "tsunami." Irene Smith and The Bay Area Housing Network fact-checked the Merc's two most dubious assertions.